The programme has four modules which are work, people, money and entrepreneurial skills.

According to BBT Managing Director Abdi Mohamed, the modules will offer certificate courses and even though it mainly targets finalist students it is also appropriate for persons of all ages interested in improving their skills.

“The interesting feature of the programme is that it also imparts skills to those who would like to start their own businesses,” Mohamed said at the launch of the programme in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

He said once students have successfully completed the ReadytoWork curriculum, they will get a certificate of completion which will enrich their curriculum vitae.

They will also have the opportunity to apply for work exposure within Barclays or their partners for a short period.

The launching of the programme is timely especially because the number of people graduating every year is high than the job market can absorb, Mohamed noted.

The programme sounds like the ideal game-changer in terms of equipping students and graduates with skills that they require, the BBT boss noted.

The Principal of Higher Education in the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Vocational Training, Lazaro Malili said unemployment in Tanzania is driven by lack of skills, adding that graduates have a better chance of seeking employment than those without skills.

The first quarterly layout force survey shows that over 90 percent of the unemployed have no matrics or no other type of skill.

“There has been a public outcry about half-baked graduates. These are people who get jobs but cannot even understand the technical terms in the areas of their specialisation,” Malili noted.

He noted that most students only read for exams on the night before and do not take time to practically apply their knowledge. When they are interviewed, they fail as they are not aware of the employers’ requirements. This programme will help solve this problem, the Ministry official pointed out.

“As many of us may think that jobs can be created ... the reality is that sustainable jobs come from producing goods or providing services that are sold competitively in the domestic and foreign markets. This often relies heavily on technological innovation,” he said.

Malili stated that youth aged between 15 and 34 who are unemployed form 13.4 per cent whereas girls are 7.2 per cent, boys are 6.2 per cent.

According to him, unemployment in many large cities is 22.3 per cent compared to villages which account for only 7.1 percent.

Outreach and Promotion Manager from TECC, Abdul Juma (C) speaking during the launching of the 5th phase of VIA Pathways to Work Program in Dar es Salaam yesterday. Second right is John Mwakasege from PTF and other officials from partner institutions involved in the program. Photo: courtesy of TECC.